Guatemala declara alerta por marea roja que ya provocó un muerto / Guatemala issues flood alert that has already claimed one death

CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA.- Las autoridades sanitarias de Guatemala declararon una alerta debido a la presencia de una marea roja en aguas de las costas del Pacífico que ya provocó una muerte por consumo de moluscos contaminados.

En una circular, el Ministerio Público y Asistencia Social (MSPAS) advierte del peligro de consumir mejillones, ostras, conchas y almejas por la concentración de toxinas.

Detalla en el documento que el 29 de abril se reportaron 3 casos de intoxicación paralítica por moluscos en dos menores de edad y un adulto, quienes fueron atendidos en el hospital del municipio sureño de Tiquisate, en el departamento de Escuintla con síntomas gastrointestinales por haber comido almejas.

Pero a la fecha se han notificado 11 casos con la misma sintomatología, y uno de ellos falleció, aseguró, sin identificar a la víctimas.

De acuerdo con las autoridades, hay una masiva proliferación de algas con toxinas que son dañinas para el ser humano al consumir los moluscos.

EFE

Guatemala issues flood alert that has already claimed one death

Guatemala City, 7th May (EFE) .- The Guatemalan health authorities have issued an alert over a red tide in the waters of the Pacific coast which has already caused one death from eating contaminated mollusks.

In a circular, the Department for Public and Social Assistance (MSPAS) warns of the dangers of eating mussels, oysters, shells and clams due to the concentration of toxins.

The document describes that on April 29, 3 cases of paralyzed shellfish poisoning were reported in two minors and one adult who were being treated at the hospital in the southern municipality of Tiquisate, Escuintla department, with gastrointestinal symptoms after eating shellfish

But to date, 11 cases have been reported with the same symptoms, and one of them died, he assured, without identifying the victims.

According to the authorities, when shellfish are eaten, there is a massive increase in algae containing toxins harmful to humans.

The MSPAS ordered the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance measures to identify and report any cases of poisoning that may occur on the Pacific coast due to the presence of thered tide in the waters.

Also monitor the increase in saxitoxin levels and alert all public and private health services so that staff take into account the clinical diagnosis of the disease.

According to the health portfolio, the National Laboratory conducted tests and toxicity was found in samples of tiquisate mussels. EFE